Armor for base-ball players.



W. J, SULLIVAN.

ARMOR FOR BASE BALL PLAYERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1909.

932,352. Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ARMOR FOR BASE-BALL PLAYERS.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful improvements in Armor ror Base-Ball Players, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to armor for base ball players, and pertains more particularly to padded body protectors for base ball catchers.

The object of my invention is to provide a body protector that will more effectually resist the force of impact of a ball, and will better conform to the contour of the body, thus avoiding displacement and interference with the free action of the wearer.

A further object thereof is to provide means for attachment of same to the body in such manner that the face thereof slopes from the center backward on each side, thus deflecting the force of the impact of the ball.

A still rurther object of my invention is to provide a protector comprising a main body portion composed of horizontally disposed padded pockets, and a depending portion loosely carried upon the main body portion composed of vertically disposed padded pockets.

Another object thereof, is to provide a longitudinal reinforcing tongue and laced closure for the outer edge of the protector whereby the padded pockets may be closed but permitting the opening thereof for access thereto to repair or replace the padding matorial.

To these ends my invention includes the combination and arrangement of component parts to be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, in which like reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a front view thereof; Fig. 2 is a back view of the same; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of my invention; Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the outer edge of my protector, and Fig. 6 plan view of the blank for forming loops for adjustably attaching the harness upon the protector.

My invention includes, generally, a body protector comprising a main body portion and shoulder extensions, a depending flap upon the lower end of the main body portion, and suitable straps and fastenings Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 29, 1909.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

Serial No. 499,244.

adapted to hold the main body portion snugly at the side of the wearer and the shoulder extensions upon his shoulders. The protector is formed of flexible front and back pieces stitched in parallel seams to form pockets which are stuffed with suit-able padding and stiffening material. The main body portion is divided into two sections by a medial vertical seam, and the pockets therein are formed horizontally, and. extend, from the central seam to the outer edge of the protector. The depending flap is flexibly attached to the main body portion, and the pockets or quilting therein are arranged vertically to impart stiffness thereto for the purposes hereinafter described.

Adjacent to the outer edge of the front and back section, a reinforcing tongue and row of eyelets are provided for lacing the sections together and the reinforcing longitudinal strip or tongue is stitched to the back section adjacent to the outer edge to serve as a closure for the outer ends of the pockets in the protector and to stiffen the outer edge thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 designates the main body portion of my protector, and 2 indicates the extensions adapted to cover the shoulders of the wearer. As shown in the drawings, said portions are formed of front and back pieces 3 and 4, respectively, of suitable flexible fabric, such as duck or canvas and shaped to cover the abdomen, chest and shoulders of the wearer. The said pieces are stitched together by a medial vertical seam 5, and also stitched transversely to form a plurality of horizontal pockets 6, which are stuffed with suitable padding material 7.

Flexibly secured to the main body portion 1, I provide a depending portion 9, made of similar material as the main body portion, but provided with vertically arranged pockets, adapted to impart rigidity to the same, and overcome the tendency of protectors to bend outwardly in use, and thus uncover the lower parts of the body which it is designed. to protect.

The front and back pieces 3 and a are each provided with a row of eyelets 10 and, 11 adjacent to their outer edges by which they are laced together by the tie strings 12.

In a protector of the character described, it is important that the upper and lower sections be retained in shape and position rigidly and at the same time be susceptible of tongue projects inwardly and lies against the opening for the alteration or repair of the 1 padding material. For this purpose, I provide a longitudinal tongue or strip 13 stitched to the outer edge of the back piece 4 and laced therewith to the front piece 3. Said front piece 3 and thus forms a closure for the horizontal and vertical pockets and retains the padding therein. Said tongue may be severed at 1 1 to accommodate the flexible joint between the upper and lower sections of the protector.

The harness for securing my protector in a protruding position upon the body comprises the upper and lower straps 15 and 16, respectively, and the vertically adjustable medial strap 16, and back plate 17.

As shown in the drawing, the upper straps 15 are secured to the shoulder portions at their upper ends 18 and are united to the medial strap 16 at the middle of the back of the wearer' Said medial strap is adjustably secured at the plate 17 by the buckle 19. The lower strap 16 is secured at one side of the main body portion of the protector at 20 by the ring 23 and is passed through slits in the plate 17 and fastened to the opposite side of the protector by the snap-hook 21 and ring 22.

For the purpose of vertically adjusting the lower strap 16 upon the main body portion of the protector, I attach the rings 22 and 23 thereto by the loops 24, which, as shown, are provided with inner and outer eyelets 25 and 26, through which the loops are laced by the tie strings 12. By this construction, straps may also be readily and conveniently renewed in case of breakage.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A body protector comprising a main body portion made of an inner and outer piece of flexible fabric united by a medial longitudinal seam and stitched laterally forming pockets for padding materials, a depending portion flexibly attached to the main body portion made of like materials stitched longitudinally forming pockets for padding materials, a longitudinal tongue stitched to the inner piece of fabric adjacent to its outer edge adapted to lie against the inner face of the outer piece and form a closure for the pockets of padding materials,

and a row of eyelets on each of said pieces adjacent to their outer edges, and tie strings adapted to lace the same together, substantially as described.

2. A body protector comprising an inner and outer piece of flexible fabric suitably stitched together to form pockets for padding materials, a longitudinal. tongue stitched to one of said pieces adjacent to its outer edge adapted. to lie against the inner face of the opposite piece, and a row of eyelets on each of said pieces adjacent to their outer edges, and. tie strings adapted to lace the same together, substantially as described.

A body protector con'iprising an inner and outer piece of flexible fabric suitably stitched to form pockets for padding m aterials, formed into a main body portion and shoulder extensions having a medial longitudinal joint and a vertically depending portion, a longitudinal tongue stitched to one of said pieces adjacent to its outer edge adapted to lie against the inner face of the opposite piece, a row of eyelets on each of said pieces adjacent to their outer edges, tie strings adapted to lace the same together, upper and lower fastening straps -adjust-ably connected through a plate and medial strap at the back of the wearer, whereby the shoulder extensions and side edges of the body portion are held against the body and the front of the protector in a buckled and protruding position upon its medial horizontal joint, substantially as described.

4;. A body protector comprising an inner and outer piece of flexible fabric stitched together to form pockets for padding material, a row of eyelets on the inner and outer pieces adjacent to their outer edges, tie strings adapted to lace the same together, adjustable straps adapted. to secure the protector upon the body of the wearer, and loops for attaching said straps to the protector adapted to be laced by said tie strings to the protector, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN.

Witnesses CATHERINE L. FITZGERALD, MARY R. FITZGERALD. 

